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I Feed Her to the Beast #1
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me
There will be blood.
Ace of Spades meets House of Hollow in this villain origin story.
Laure Mesny is a perfectionist with an axe to grind. Despite being constantly overlooked in the elite and cutthroat world of the Parisian ballet, she will do anything to prove that a Black girl can take center stage. To level the playing field, Laure ventures deep into the depths of the Catacombs and strikes a deal with a pulsating river of blood.
The primordial power Laure gains promises influence and adoration, everything she’s dreamed of and worked toward. With retribution on her mind, she surpasses her bitter and privileged peers, leaving broken bodies behind her on her climb to stardom.
But even as undeniable as she is, Laure is not the only monster around. And her vicious desires make her a perfect target for slaughter. As she descends into madness and the mystifying underworld beneath her, she is faced with the ultimate choice: continue to break herself for scraps of validation or succumb to the darkness that wants her exactly as she is—monstrous heart and all. That is, if the god-killer doesn’t catch her first.
From debut author Jamison Shea comes I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me, a slow-burn horror that lifts a veil on the institutions that profit on exclusion and the toll of giving everything to a world that will never love you back.
Ace of Spades meets House of Hollow in this villain origin story.
Laure Mesny is a perfectionist with an axe to grind. Despite being constantly overlooked in the elite and cutthroat world of the Parisian ballet, she will do anything to prove that a Black girl can take center stage. To level the playing field, Laure ventures deep into the depths of the Catacombs and strikes a deal with a pulsating river of blood.
The primordial power Laure gains promises influence and adoration, everything she’s dreamed of and worked toward. With retribution on her mind, she surpasses her bitter and privileged peers, leaving broken bodies behind her on her climb to stardom.
But even as undeniable as she is, Laure is not the only monster around. And her vicious desires make her a perfect target for slaughter. As she descends into madness and the mystifying underworld beneath her, she is faced with the ultimate choice: continue to break herself for scraps of validation or succumb to the darkness that wants her exactly as she is—monstrous heart and all. That is, if the god-killer doesn’t catch her first.
From debut author Jamison Shea comes I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me, a slow-burn horror that lifts a veil on the institutions that profit on exclusion and the toll of giving everything to a world that will never love you back.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2023
657 people are currently reading
56667 people want to read
About the author
Jamison Shea
4 books706 followersJamison Shea was once a flautist, violist, anthropologist, linguist, choreographer, dancer, professional fire alarm puller, digital producer, and account executive—but they've always been a writer.
Born in Buffalo, NY and now surrounded by darkness and gloom in Finland, when Jamison isn't writing horror, they're drinking milk tea and searching for long-forgotten gods in eerie places.
Born in Buffalo, NY and now surrounded by darkness and gloom in Finland, when Jamison isn't writing horror, they're drinking milk tea and searching for long-forgotten gods in eerie places.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,618 reviews
September 24, 2023
Ace Spades meets Black Swan: Jamison Shea takes us on a wild, dark, and thrilling journey into the cutthroat world of ballerinas, where politics and traditions outweigh real talent and hard work. In this unique universe, the race, privilege, and wealth open doors, allowing the faults and flaws of performers to be swept under the rug.
Lauren Mesny, a neglected daughter from humble beginnings, strives to survive and become the best ballerina in the fiercely competitive Parisian ballet scene. However, she faces an uphill battle as her privileged, white competitors are supported by powerful families who have the luxury of making mistakes, often unseen by biased judging committees that hold their futures in their hands.
Lauren has no money and no family support. She's all alone, working tirelessly until the floors become slippery with her sweat and blood, all in pursuit of perfection. She can't afford the slightest misstep, fearing it may cost her place in the competition. But even when she lands her dream role, she realizes that staying on top is a constant struggle. She's judged not only for her performance but also for her background and appearance. The question haunts her: What if she's not enough?
Intrigued by the whispers circulating among the girls, Lauren discovers a secret behind the success of the power couple, Josephine and Ciro. Rumors suggest they engage in rituals involving drinking blood and stealing girls' hair to cast spells that enhance their magnetism. Josephine, too, hails from poverty, having no one to rely on, yet she has achieved everything she ever dreamed of—power, wealth, respect, and success.
One day, Josephine approaches Lauren for a friendly talk and an invitation to drink that leads them into the depths of the Catacombs. In a moment of desperation, Lauren makes a deal, offering a drip of her blood to draw closer to the power she aims to gain. Little does she know that this deal will take her to unimaginable places and push her to do things she never thought possible. She realizes that there may be far worse things than losing her place in the Parisian ballet world.
Overall, the story skillfully portrays the rivalry between ballerinas, exploring themes of nepotism and racism while capturing the immense pressure that turns individuals against one another in a ruthless pursuit of victory. The integration of fantasy and horror elements is masterfully executed. Although I had concerns that the conclusion might be unsatisfying, the author proved me wrong by delivering a logical and satisfying resolution.
For fans of YA thrillers, horror, and mysteries, this book is an excellent choice with its riveting pacing. The dark and claustrophobic atmosphere of Paris' underworld is vividly brought to life.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Henry Holt and Co for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Lauren Mesny, a neglected daughter from humble beginnings, strives to survive and become the best ballerina in the fiercely competitive Parisian ballet scene. However, she faces an uphill battle as her privileged, white competitors are supported by powerful families who have the luxury of making mistakes, often unseen by biased judging committees that hold their futures in their hands.
Lauren has no money and no family support. She's all alone, working tirelessly until the floors become slippery with her sweat and blood, all in pursuit of perfection. She can't afford the slightest misstep, fearing it may cost her place in the competition. But even when she lands her dream role, she realizes that staying on top is a constant struggle. She's judged not only for her performance but also for her background and appearance. The question haunts her: What if she's not enough?
Intrigued by the whispers circulating among the girls, Lauren discovers a secret behind the success of the power couple, Josephine and Ciro. Rumors suggest they engage in rituals involving drinking blood and stealing girls' hair to cast spells that enhance their magnetism. Josephine, too, hails from poverty, having no one to rely on, yet she has achieved everything she ever dreamed of—power, wealth, respect, and success.
One day, Josephine approaches Lauren for a friendly talk and an invitation to drink that leads them into the depths of the Catacombs. In a moment of desperation, Lauren makes a deal, offering a drip of her blood to draw closer to the power she aims to gain. Little does she know that this deal will take her to unimaginable places and push her to do things she never thought possible. She realizes that there may be far worse things than losing her place in the Parisian ballet world.
Overall, the story skillfully portrays the rivalry between ballerinas, exploring themes of nepotism and racism while capturing the immense pressure that turns individuals against one another in a ruthless pursuit of victory. The integration of fantasy and horror elements is masterfully executed. Although I had concerns that the conclusion might be unsatisfying, the author proved me wrong by delivering a logical and satisfying resolution.
For fans of YA thrillers, horror, and mysteries, this book is an excellent choice with its riveting pacing. The dark and claustrophobic atmosphere of Paris' underworld is vividly brought to life.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Henry Holt and Co for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
June 2, 2025
**3.5-stars rounded up**
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me is a debut YA Horror novel from Jamison Shea.
This story explores the uber-competitive world of professional dance; specifically, ballet. The setting is Paris and our MC, Laure Mesny, is just finishing up her training and is beginning her professional career.
Even though she has consistently been top in her class, Laure is constantly overlooked and she feels like she can never stop proving herself.
As a Black girl in a vastly White girl profession, Laure doesn't fit the mold of what society expects its ballerinas to look like. Because of this, she has to fight extra hard for every achievement. She's used to it, but that doesn't make it less emotionally draining.
Unbeknownst to her, Laure is about to find a way to change her position. She's going to gain a power that will help her achieve everything she's ever dreamed of.
Lured by a new friend, Laure ventures deep into the heart of the infamous Paris Catacombs and strikes a deal with a primordial river of blood.
((Cue Danse Macabre))
As she passes her bitter peers is status and fame, Laure keeps in mind the way they treated her before. She hasn't forgotten and trust, she certainly hasn't forgiven.
She's not the only one with claws though and these dancers are willing to fight back. How far will Laure go, and what price is she willing to pay, to achieve ultimate power?
I liked this. I think as a debut this shows a lot of promise. The topics explored were compelling and the level of creativity was impressive.
I did find some areas of the narrative to be a little confusing, particularly in the second half and there were moments that slowed way down, which I didn't find quite as interesting.
Overall, I do think this is a strong debut though. The descriptions were vivid and I enjoyed going along with Laure on her journey. She did undergo quite a transformation over the course of the story.
There is a romantic subplot that I could have done without as well. I would have preferred if it had remained focused on ambition and the relationship dynamics between the female characters, but that is 100%-personal taste.
I would be interested to see, if there is another book, where it goes from here. There's definitely a lot of possibilities following this ending.
Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm looking forward to reading more from Jamison Shea!!
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me is a debut YA Horror novel from Jamison Shea.
This story explores the uber-competitive world of professional dance; specifically, ballet. The setting is Paris and our MC, Laure Mesny, is just finishing up her training and is beginning her professional career.
Even though she has consistently been top in her class, Laure is constantly overlooked and she feels like she can never stop proving herself.
As a Black girl in a vastly White girl profession, Laure doesn't fit the mold of what society expects its ballerinas to look like. Because of this, she has to fight extra hard for every achievement. She's used to it, but that doesn't make it less emotionally draining.
Unbeknownst to her, Laure is about to find a way to change her position. She's going to gain a power that will help her achieve everything she's ever dreamed of.
Lured by a new friend, Laure ventures deep into the heart of the infamous Paris Catacombs and strikes a deal with a primordial river of blood.
((Cue Danse Macabre))
As she passes her bitter peers is status and fame, Laure keeps in mind the way they treated her before. She hasn't forgotten and trust, she certainly hasn't forgiven.
She's not the only one with claws though and these dancers are willing to fight back. How far will Laure go, and what price is she willing to pay, to achieve ultimate power?
I liked this. I think as a debut this shows a lot of promise. The topics explored were compelling and the level of creativity was impressive.
I did find some areas of the narrative to be a little confusing, particularly in the second half and there were moments that slowed way down, which I didn't find quite as interesting.
Overall, I do think this is a strong debut though. The descriptions were vivid and I enjoyed going along with Laure on her journey. She did undergo quite a transformation over the course of the story.
There is a romantic subplot that I could have done without as well. I would have preferred if it had remained focused on ambition and the relationship dynamics between the female characters, but that is 100%-personal taste.
I would be interested to see, if there is another book, where it goes from here. There's definitely a lot of possibilities following this ending.
Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm looking forward to reading more from Jamison Shea!!
September 26, 2023
i mean this was fun and really dark i was just expecting more ig
September 5, 2023
I love a villain origin story!
How much are you willing to risk for fame? What sacrifices are you prepared to make?
Laure Mesny always felt inadequate no matter how much effort she put in. She pushed herself to the point where her body was bloody and bruised. Yet, her peers and the elites of the Parisian ballet world continued to overlook her, simply because of her background and race.
Fed up with this injustice, she struck a deal with the mysterious being residing within the bloody river of the Catacombs. It granted her unprecedented power and influence, surpassing anything she had ever experienced before. Once she tasted this newfound power, she became addicted. She no longer cared about who she had to crush to fulfill her dreams.
What a wild ride! I admit the second half did drag a tiny bit, but it picks back up at the end. Overall, a compelling story and a solid debut. Highly recommend it to fans of Black Swan and YA horror/thrillers.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Jamison Shea, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
How much are you willing to risk for fame? What sacrifices are you prepared to make?
Laure Mesny always felt inadequate no matter how much effort she put in. She pushed herself to the point where her body was bloody and bruised. Yet, her peers and the elites of the Parisian ballet world continued to overlook her, simply because of her background and race.
Fed up with this injustice, she struck a deal with the mysterious being residing within the bloody river of the Catacombs. It granted her unprecedented power and influence, surpassing anything she had ever experienced before. Once she tasted this newfound power, she became addicted. She no longer cared about who she had to crush to fulfill her dreams.
What a wild ride! I admit the second half did drag a tiny bit, but it picks back up at the end. Overall, a compelling story and a solid debut. Highly recommend it to fans of Black Swan and YA horror/thrillers.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Jamison Shea, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
September 19, 2023
#90
The Good
Appreciate Black authors exploring different types of horror & fantasy with a variety in settings.
Bringing up issues to ya audience that it brings up – (look at thoughts section)
The Meh
Mismarketing- Almost all of the reviews I saw mentioned that they think the story is misrepresented in the marketing and I agree.
The Bad
I. Beyond the mismarketing did this succeed at what it was? Did I like it for what it was? I could be wrong about its goal, but it did not go hard like it could have.
It did not go that far into the messed-up system of ballet (as much as it talked about it) or racism or many of the interesting themes. There was something there about ballet being their god & the applause is like worshiping I was waiting to hit the surface.
II. Poorly paced – to point I thought it held back just to make a sequel.
III. Repetitive – we were in a wheel of the same actions happening over and over.
(1) Laure finds out about something – sets up for something to move plot forward.
(2) Next chapter or scene we move past it like nothing really happened. No, I do not mean it happens offscreen it’s like they skip addressing reasonable conflict in the story.
IV. Time skips – so you don’t get to sit in moments, and it skips past interesting things.
V. Ballet felt like window dressing after a while because we were told so much about ballet this or that without us really doing much with it.
VI. Doesn’t sit with people so I felt no connection to them -friends, foes, etc.
VII. No, I do not want to spend pages on pages on this boy instead of…
~ exploring the fantasy of the story
~this entity you made a deal with
~ballet world beyond set piece
~who is killing people
~your family
~etc
Thoughts
I. Mismarketing
What subgenre(s) would you say this story falls under?
Fantasy, paranormal romance (unsure about this), slight bit of horror
II. Racism, validation
A. Spaces not build for Black people
~Ballet is feminine/soft/regal
~feminine = white
~Black women are considered the furthest from feminity /softness/regalness.
At the fundamental level ballet is not built (as many spaces) for Black people so of course there is opposition.
C. Using an outside force to circumnavigate the force of racism.
What is cheating or meritocracy when fundamentally things are built for you not to succeed/flourish? If you need help from the beast, were you good enough in first place? What is good enough when your race is on the judging table (you can’t out excel racism)?
~How desperation for equality/equity/notice/be on same playing field can be exploited.
~Validation & racism vs enjoyment of an activity such as ballet
III. Mini-rant
On the deity/entity: Acheron cannot get worship or seen as amazing entity/god when they got whooped and people killed multiple times. I am supposed to be impressed by them like lol.
Do they (characters) seriously not wonder what the entity they are sacrificing themselves to want? Like no one is going to look into it?
received from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group via bookishfirst
The Good
Appreciate Black authors exploring different types of horror & fantasy with a variety in settings.
Bringing up issues to ya audience that it brings up – (look at thoughts section)
The Meh
Mismarketing- Almost all of the reviews I saw mentioned that they think the story is misrepresented in the marketing and I agree.
The Bad
I. Beyond the mismarketing did this succeed at what it was? Did I like it for what it was? I could be wrong about its goal, but it did not go hard like it could have.
It did not go that far into the messed-up system of ballet (as much as it talked about it) or racism or many of the interesting themes. There was something there about ballet being their god & the applause is like worshiping I was waiting to hit the surface.
II. Poorly paced – to point I thought it held back just to make a sequel.
III. Repetitive – we were in a wheel of the same actions happening over and over.
(1) Laure finds out about something – sets up for something to move plot forward.
(2) Next chapter or scene we move past it like nothing really happened. No, I do not mean it happens offscreen it’s like they skip addressing reasonable conflict in the story.
IV. Time skips – so you don’t get to sit in moments, and it skips past interesting things.
V. Ballet felt like window dressing after a while because we were told so much about ballet this or that without us really doing much with it.
VI. Doesn’t sit with people so I felt no connection to them -friends, foes, etc.
VII. No, I do not want to spend pages on pages on this boy instead of…
~ exploring the fantasy of the story
~this entity you made a deal with
~ballet world beyond set piece
~who is killing people
~your family
~etc
Thoughts
I. Mismarketing
What subgenre(s) would you say this story falls under?
Fantasy, paranormal romance (unsure about this), slight bit of horror
II. Racism, validation
A. Spaces not build for Black people
~Ballet is feminine/soft/regal
~feminine = white
~Black women are considered the furthest from feminity /softness/regalness.
At the fundamental level ballet is not built (as many spaces) for Black people so of course there is opposition.
C. Using an outside force to circumnavigate the force of racism.
What is cheating or meritocracy when fundamentally things are built for you not to succeed/flourish? If you need help from the beast, were you good enough in first place? What is good enough when your race is on the judging table (you can’t out excel racism)?
~How desperation for equality/equity/notice/be on same playing field can be exploited.
~Validation & racism vs enjoyment of an activity such as ballet
III. Mini-rant
On the deity/entity: Acheron cannot get worship or seen as amazing entity/god when they got whooped and people killed multiple times. I am supposed to be impressed by them like lol.
Do they (characters) seriously not wonder what the entity they are sacrificing themselves to want? Like no one is going to look into it?
received from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group via bookishfirst
January 30, 2024
What a great debut!
Laure has always wanted to be a ballerina. It is all she has ever known, she even ran away from home to join the Paris ballet school.
But however hard she tries, she never seems to receive the respect and appreciation so freely given to the other girls.
When she receives an interesting invitation from another ballerina to the Paris catacombs - what she experiences there will change her life forever.
Full of darkness, I was gripped by this story. I felt Laure’s anger and rage against the injustice she suffered. Her best friend who turned against her the minute the tables turned.
I am so ready for book 2!
Laure has always wanted to be a ballerina. It is all she has ever known, she even ran away from home to join the Paris ballet school.
But however hard she tries, she never seems to receive the respect and appreciation so freely given to the other girls.
When she receives an interesting invitation from another ballerina to the Paris catacombs - what she experiences there will change her life forever.
Full of darkness, I was gripped by this story. I felt Laure’s anger and rage against the injustice she suffered. Her best friend who turned against her the minute the tables turned.
I am so ready for book 2!
November 6, 2023
I liked the first half more than the second, it was engaging and interesting, I even thought it would be a five star read. But as it went on, my interest in how the story would end diminished.
There's nothing specific wrong with it, it might just be me, so please give this book a chance if you wanted to. But what bugged me was how repetitive it was getting, and how the pace slowed down in the second half.
What I liked was the setting, I think that was very well done and the monstrous things as well. I will always support women's rights and wrongs!!! Also we love a good villain PoV.
If there is a sequel in the future I'm not sure if I'll read it. Maybe? I could see it happening, the found family is cute and I wouldn't mind seeing more of them.
3.5
There's nothing specific wrong with it, it might just be me, so please give this book a chance if you wanted to. But what bugged me was how repetitive it was getting, and how the pace slowed down in the second half.
What I liked was the setting, I think that was very well done and the monstrous things as well. I will always support women's rights and wrongs!!! Also we love a good villain PoV.
If there is a sequel in the future I'm not sure if I'll read it. Maybe? I could see it happening, the found family is cute and I wouldn't mind seeing more of them.
3.5
October 7, 2024
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me is a book that I've been meaning to read for a long time. While it didn't necessarily live up to my expectations, I appreciated what the author was attempting to do with the content. 3.5 Stars CW: racism, body horror, parental abandonment
What Worked: The realistic portrayal of the quiet racism and anti-Blackness that many people experience was done well in this one. Many people presume that racism must be overt and in your face; however, there are moments when it's more subtle and quiet and can be experienced in the way that Laure deals with it first hand via the ballet company. It's the presumptions that you'll never be good enough, that no matter the effort and level of skill acquired you'll never match your peers. I've dealt with this type of behavior before as both a young adult and adult, so it was rather refreshing to see a main character who navigated this type of environment. Additionally, I appreciated the manner in which Shea portrayed the cutthroat nature of the ballet industry. The disregard for the humans who put their physical, emotional, and mental health on the line for the creation of art is astonishing. Not only is Laure experiencing discrimination, but she also is reminded of how replaceable she is to those who are supposed to value her. The gritty and gory moments were also great!!
What Didn't Work: I wasn't a huge fan of the pacing of this one. There were moments where the book moved at a pace that was enjoyable for me while there were other moments where it moved incredibly slow. I also felt as though there were some unanswered questions in regard to the entities involved. While they may have simply been allegorical, they felt like they served a bigger purpose and I wasn't clear on that purpose. There was also a lack of shock from some specific characters when encountering these beings and I'm wondering if there is a bigger back story.
Overall, this was a solid read. The sequel is due to release in November so I'm interested in seeing how the story will be expanded in that book.
What Worked: The realistic portrayal of the quiet racism and anti-Blackness that many people experience was done well in this one. Many people presume that racism must be overt and in your face; however, there are moments when it's more subtle and quiet and can be experienced in the way that Laure deals with it first hand via the ballet company. It's the presumptions that you'll never be good enough, that no matter the effort and level of skill acquired you'll never match your peers. I've dealt with this type of behavior before as both a young adult and adult, so it was rather refreshing to see a main character who navigated this type of environment. Additionally, I appreciated the manner in which Shea portrayed the cutthroat nature of the ballet industry. The disregard for the humans who put their physical, emotional, and mental health on the line for the creation of art is astonishing. Not only is Laure experiencing discrimination, but she also is reminded of how replaceable she is to those who are supposed to value her. The gritty and gory moments were also great!!
What Didn't Work: I wasn't a huge fan of the pacing of this one. There were moments where the book moved at a pace that was enjoyable for me while there were other moments where it moved incredibly slow. I also felt as though there were some unanswered questions in regard to the entities involved. While they may have simply been allegorical, they felt like they served a bigger purpose and I wasn't clear on that purpose. There was also a lack of shock from some specific characters when encountering these beings and I'm wondering if there is a bigger back story.
Overall, this was a solid read. The sequel is due to release in November so I'm interested in seeing how the story will be expanded in that book.
September 1, 2023
A dark story of ambition and power set in Paris, Laure is willing to do anything she has to to rise to the level only seen by her privileged, white peers. Morally grey she is not – she has very little concern for anyone and is willing to maim, tear down and even kill anyone standing in her way.
While this is ballet, and everyone is cutthroat, even Laure's supposed best friend, by the middle of this story everyone being horrible all of the time did really start to grate on me, and the story started slogging A LOT. Laure's thoughts could be somewhat repetitive and I didn't really care about most of the characters as they exited the scene.
It picked up well at the end, though, with a brutal, bloody ending as Laure finally chose her path and her friends, and it does give me a lot of hope for where the next book could go. I'm hoping for a few new settings and interested to see if Laure will remain the main character.
While this is ballet, and everyone is cutthroat, even Laure's supposed best friend, by the middle of this story everyone being horrible all of the time did really start to grate on me, and the story started slogging A LOT. Laure's thoughts could be somewhat repetitive and I didn't really care about most of the characters as they exited the scene.
It picked up well at the end, though, with a brutal, bloody ending as Laure finally chose her path and her friends, and it does give me a lot of hope for where the next book could go. I'm hoping for a few new settings and interested to see if Laure will remain the main character.
December 6, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up.
A fantastic YA horror about the depths to which people will go to be accepted and loved.
(The only thing keeping it from a full 5 stars is that chapters went too long in some cases. It felt like some filler was left in that should have been cut)
A fantastic YA horror about the depths to which people will go to be accepted and loved.
(The only thing keeping it from a full 5 stars is that chapters went too long in some cases. It felt like some filler was left in that should have been cut)
Want to read
March 29, 2023THIS COVER OMG
March 10, 2024
This book exudes female rage, ruthless competition, and bloody revenge. Laure is the only Black girl in a highly competitive Parisian ballet academy, nearing the end of her training and looking forward to her future career. She is a perfectionist and works harder that everyone else, and yet her "look" is outside the expected norm and she doesn't come from a background of wealth and privilege. But she is willing to do whatever it takes to win and prove she is the best. Including making a deal with a primordial power that exists in an underground river of blood...
This book was vicious and yet you see how any remaining softness in Laure is slowly hardened by the way she is treated. It feels like a mix of a revenge fantasy, a cautionary tale, and a scathing critique of traditional ballet. There are details like Laure having to get her own flesh-toned pointe shoes because only pale ones are provided. And I've heard ballerinas talk about using makeup to get the color of their shoes right. Given the premise I wasn't sure how this would go, but it's a very strong debut novel that sucks you into Laure's world and walks this line between feeling devastated by some of the choices Laure makes, to cheering on her vengeance with others. Definitely worth a read if you've been on the fence. I was sent a copy of this book for review by the publisher, all opinions are my own.
This book was vicious and yet you see how any remaining softness in Laure is slowly hardened by the way she is treated. It feels like a mix of a revenge fantasy, a cautionary tale, and a scathing critique of traditional ballet. There are details like Laure having to get her own flesh-toned pointe shoes because only pale ones are provided. And I've heard ballerinas talk about using makeup to get the color of their shoes right. Given the premise I wasn't sure how this would go, but it's a very strong debut novel that sucks you into Laure's world and walks this line between feeling devastated by some of the choices Laure makes, to cheering on her vengeance with others. Definitely worth a read if you've been on the fence. I was sent a copy of this book for review by the publisher, all opinions are my own.
March 26, 2024
I Feed Her To The Beast by Jamison Shea was a cutthroat, page turning read. It left me ready to join a ballet company and become a prima ballerina. Ha ha.
Laure is an excellent ballerina in her Paris ballet company, but she isn’t the best. She leaves that to her best friend. After years of pointing her toes and pirouettes, she is convinced she will never be the best ballerina in the troupe due to her race. How often do you see black ballerinas in the lead? When she stumbles across a powerful “spirit“ she makes several bargains that will change her life forever. Laure starts slow, asking for better, ballet skills. But then she bargains again and again. Each bargain changes her personality for the worst until she finally has “more than she bargained for”. Eventually, she makes friends with others who have made bargains with the same “spirit”. Together they form a plan to get out of there commitments with the spirit.
Laure is an excellent ballerina in her Paris ballet company, but she isn’t the best. She leaves that to her best friend. After years of pointing her toes and pirouettes, she is convinced she will never be the best ballerina in the troupe due to her race. How often do you see black ballerinas in the lead? When she stumbles across a powerful “spirit“ she makes several bargains that will change her life forever. Laure starts slow, asking for better, ballet skills. But then she bargains again and again. Each bargain changes her personality for the worst until she finally has “more than she bargained for”. Eventually, she makes friends with others who have made bargains with the same “spirit”. Together they form a plan to get out of there commitments with the spirit.
August 27, 2024
Take Ace of Spades and mix it with Black Swan, and this story is born! The world of ballet always looks like glamour and glitz, but this story shows the ruthlessness it takes to become a prima ballerina.
August 29, 2023
Full YouTube review here: https://youtu.be/jYP5TQcSAWA?si=OPocw...
My thoughts are so incoherent and chaotic right now, but I just have to say that this is one of the best books I’ve ever read and I need y’all to go preorder it, request it from your library, do whatever you have to do to make sure you get this in your hands when it releases.
A (possibly) coherent review is to come.
🖤🩸✨Coherent review✨🩸🖤
Laure Mesny, Black ballerina at the top of her class, but constantly overlooked, is tired of being powerless. So, she bathes in a river of blood and makes a deal with an eldritch god for power. But is the power worth everything she has to sacrifice for it?
I have SO MANY thoughts about this book that it’s so hard to narrow down what all I’m going to say, but, long story short, this is definitely my FAVORITE book of the year and it is also one of my favorite books of all time! I need everyone to preorder it, request it from your library, do whatever you have to do to make sure this book gets in your hands on August 29th!
There are countless things that I loved about this book! Our main character, Laure, is one of my all time favorite characters. I will defend her to the very end! She can do no wrong! We LOVE monstrous Black girls over here! I relate to her so much because after being powerless for so long, it’s easy to become a “villain”. (I use the term villain loosely because, as I already said, my good sis can do no wrong!) And every character in the story was developed very well. You either loved them or hated them, but you were indifferent to no one and understood everyone’s motivations and personality!
I also have to mention how GORGEOUS the writing is! I think this is the most I’ve ever annotated a book. I honestly could’ve highlighted the whole book (I almost did🤭) There is absolutely no way that this is Jamison Shea’s debut. The writing style is so engrossing, it’s so descriptive, I would even say the writing is straight up CINEMATIC! And speaking of cinematic, this needs to be adapted into a movie ASAP.
Everything about this book was just so amazing: the story, the characters, the writing, the cover, the HORROR of it all, the way the story came full circle at the end, just everything! This book just left me speechless, but simultaneously, I wanna say EVERYTHING about it! I need more people to read this, so that I can gush about it with others! MAGNIFIQUE✨🖤🩸
P.S. knowing that I will be getting more of this magnificence when the second book in the duology comes out makes me so happy🥰🥰🥰
Thank you so much Macmillan Children’s/Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.
TW: racism, classism, parental abandonment, ritualistic self harm
My thoughts are so incoherent and chaotic right now, but I just have to say that this is one of the best books I’ve ever read and I need y’all to go preorder it, request it from your library, do whatever you have to do to make sure you get this in your hands when it releases.
A (possibly) coherent review is to come.
🖤🩸✨Coherent review✨🩸🖤
Laure Mesny, Black ballerina at the top of her class, but constantly overlooked, is tired of being powerless. So, she bathes in a river of blood and makes a deal with an eldritch god for power. But is the power worth everything she has to sacrifice for it?
I have SO MANY thoughts about this book that it’s so hard to narrow down what all I’m going to say, but, long story short, this is definitely my FAVORITE book of the year and it is also one of my favorite books of all time! I need everyone to preorder it, request it from your library, do whatever you have to do to make sure this book gets in your hands on August 29th!
There are countless things that I loved about this book! Our main character, Laure, is one of my all time favorite characters. I will defend her to the very end! She can do no wrong! We LOVE monstrous Black girls over here! I relate to her so much because after being powerless for so long, it’s easy to become a “villain”. (I use the term villain loosely because, as I already said, my good sis can do no wrong!) And every character in the story was developed very well. You either loved them or hated them, but you were indifferent to no one and understood everyone’s motivations and personality!
I also have to mention how GORGEOUS the writing is! I think this is the most I’ve ever annotated a book. I honestly could’ve highlighted the whole book (I almost did🤭) There is absolutely no way that this is Jamison Shea’s debut. The writing style is so engrossing, it’s so descriptive, I would even say the writing is straight up CINEMATIC! And speaking of cinematic, this needs to be adapted into a movie ASAP.
Everything about this book was just so amazing: the story, the characters, the writing, the cover, the HORROR of it all, the way the story came full circle at the end, just everything! This book just left me speechless, but simultaneously, I wanna say EVERYTHING about it! I need more people to read this, so that I can gush about it with others! MAGNIFIQUE✨🖤🩸
P.S. knowing that I will be getting more of this magnificence when the second book in the duology comes out makes me so happy🥰🥰🥰
Thank you so much Macmillan Children’s/Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.
TW: racism, classism, parental abandonment, ritualistic self harm
September 7, 2023
This book was a wild and horrific ride. I thought the writing was good and the descriptions were awesome. I also liked the main character and descriptions of other characters. While Laure is having her transformation into being a villain she was still likable and someone I wanted to succeed (even if I was horrified on how she succeeded at times). I did find the book to be a little too much of a slow burn for me. I wanted more to happen more quickly and found my attention drifting and this book taking me longer than is typical for me. I do have to say that the atmosphere was appropriately creepy. Laure has only ever wanted to dance in the ballet, but no matter how hard she works she isn’t the right fit and the rest of the girls except for one never let her forget that she doesn’t belong. Nervous for the finale test before graduation and to see if she makes the cut for a much coveted apprenticeship a blossoming ballet star takes her to dinner and then shares an opportunity that could help Laure reach all her dreams, but everything has it’s price. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars rounded up for it being such a strong debut.
July 26, 2024
Delightfully creepy and couldn't put down. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
August 31, 2023
This is YA Black Swan meets The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, with a thriller-esq subplot and a slow burn monster romance…and I ate it up!
I loved the setting in the Parisian ballet, and the sinister magic lurking in the catacombs beneath the city. Likewise, the characters were interesting and engaging, and the tone was creepy and moody, without being too grim and haunting.
The promise was well-established in the beginning, introducing us to Laure, a perfectionistic aspiring ballerina, who must manipulate her body, mind, and soul to be all that is expected, and is never enough. No wonder she is willing to go to any lengths to gain power over her circumstances.
As the story progresses, and Laure begins to accomplish her goals, new characters are introduced and some go missing, only to turn up dead. Laure struggles with priorities as she balances pursuing her professional goals, navigating her tense relationship with her roommate, and getting to the bottom of the mysterious deaths of her friends. She questions herself as she discovers aspects of herself that conflict with her pursuit of perfection—anger, want, hunger, loneliness. As her chaos manifests, she must learn temperance and acceptance. And she cannot do it alone.
The payoff is really satisfying and plays to well-established themes throughout: power, rejection, loss, loneliness, betrayal, surrender and retribution.
A solid debut novel!
(This book was sent to me by the publisher. I am being compensated for an honest review on another platform. This review is not being compensated.)
I loved the setting in the Parisian ballet, and the sinister magic lurking in the catacombs beneath the city. Likewise, the characters were interesting and engaging, and the tone was creepy and moody, without being too grim and haunting.
The promise was well-established in the beginning, introducing us to Laure, a perfectionistic aspiring ballerina, who must manipulate her body, mind, and soul to be all that is expected, and is never enough. No wonder she is willing to go to any lengths to gain power over her circumstances.
As the story progresses, and Laure begins to accomplish her goals, new characters are introduced and some go missing, only to turn up dead. Laure struggles with priorities as she balances pursuing her professional goals, navigating her tense relationship with her roommate, and getting to the bottom of the mysterious deaths of her friends. She questions herself as she discovers aspects of herself that conflict with her pursuit of perfection—anger, want, hunger, loneliness. As her chaos manifests, she must learn temperance and acceptance. And she cannot do it alone.
The payoff is really satisfying and plays to well-established themes throughout: power, rejection, loss, loneliness, betrayal, surrender and retribution.
A solid debut novel!
(This book was sent to me by the publisher. I am being compensated for an honest review on another platform. This review is not being compensated.)
August 16, 2023
I am sorry and very disappointed to say that I wasn’t able to finish this book. I’ve been anticipating reading it for months. I love the cover, and I wholeheartedly love the premise. But, it was just moving so incredibly slow.
I can’t really say how I feel about the characters or the story because I could never really get into the book. I mean I think I like Laure, but I’m not really sure. Her motivations and her circumstances mirror most of my experiences as a Black female in America, and I wanted to root for her. However, I couldn’t connect with her because the pacing of the book kept throwing me off. I couldn’t focus on the story like I wanted to.
I would also like to point out that this story feels more gothic than horror. Yes, it has graphic, gory scenes, but they are done in a romantic way. The prose is lyrical and creates a Black Swan gothic vibe instead of a haunted eerie horror vibe.
DNF at 45%
I can’t really say how I feel about the characters or the story because I could never really get into the book. I mean I think I like Laure, but I’m not really sure. Her motivations and her circumstances mirror most of my experiences as a Black female in America, and I wanted to root for her. However, I couldn’t connect with her because the pacing of the book kept throwing me off. I couldn’t focus on the story like I wanted to.
I would also like to point out that this story feels more gothic than horror. Yes, it has graphic, gory scenes, but they are done in a romantic way. The prose is lyrical and creates a Black Swan gothic vibe instead of a haunted eerie horror vibe.
DNF at 45%
August 8, 2023
I ended up DNFing this book. It had grabbed my attention initially but as the story progressed I became bored and also questioned where the "horror" aspect of the story was at. I do think the premise of the story was excellent and a great idea, but I don't think the execution hit. It felt almost like nothing but everything was happening at once? From what I had read I will at least give the story a 3 star review. I feel it has promise and for the right person this could be a 4 or 5 star read.
If you like death, possession and blood sacrifice mixed with ballet this is the book for you!
If you like death, possession and blood sacrifice mixed with ballet this is the book for you!
September 22, 2023
why can I never round up or down???????
GR, I WANT A FUCKING 3.5 OPTION
GR, I WANT A FUCKING 3.5 OPTION
November 14, 2023
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: self harm for ritual, body shaming, nonviolent torture, classism & racism, parental neglect
3.7
I was super intrigued by this one due to the fabulous cover, the intense title, and it being called a “villain origin story”. On some counts it definitely works, but it didn’t pan out into being the story I was expecting.
I did find the path this is going down really interesting- I’ll probably pick up the second book because I am invested enough in these characters to want to see what’s next. I also love the growing monster gang, and the found family vibes.
I’m generally pretty pro-monster romance, and the Hozier level worship of her horrific powers is a huge plus. I didn’t expect to be this into the romance, but it didn’t take long to sweep me into it.
However, this didn’t feel like a “villain origin story”. Laure didn’t feel monstrous to me, while she’s willing to be selfish she never goes far enough to hit that devious, blood thirsty characterization I was waiting for. I love characters who are chaotic and morally grey or worse, and by “villain” I did expect something less guilt and hesitation.
The actual villain of this also had no nuance and was hard to take seriously. She’s very insubstantial and never gets any depth.
I found the ending unsatisfying in terms of how the actual plot concludes, though the lead in for a series did keep me hooked.
Pre-review comments below"villain origin story" "a deal with a a pulsating river of blood" "god-killer" YOU'VE SAID MORE THAN ENOUGH
TW: self harm for ritual, body shaming, nonviolent torture, classism & racism, parental neglect
3.7
I was super intrigued by this one due to the fabulous cover, the intense title, and it being called a “villain origin story”. On some counts it definitely works, but it didn’t pan out into being the story I was expecting.
I did find the path this is going down really interesting- I’ll probably pick up the second book because I am invested enough in these characters to want to see what’s next. I also love the growing monster gang, and the found family vibes.
I’m generally pretty pro-monster romance, and the Hozier level worship of her horrific powers is a huge plus. I didn’t expect to be this into the romance, but it didn’t take long to sweep me into it.
However, this didn’t feel like a “villain origin story”. Laure didn’t feel monstrous to me, while she’s willing to be selfish she never goes far enough to hit that devious, blood thirsty characterization I was waiting for. I love characters who are chaotic and morally grey or worse, and by “villain” I did expect something less guilt and hesitation.
The actual villain of this also had no nuance and was hard to take seriously. She’s very insubstantial and never gets any depth.
I found the ending unsatisfying in terms of how the actual plot concludes, though the lead in for a series did keep me hooked.
Pre-review comments below"villain origin story" "a deal with a a pulsating river of blood" "god-killer" YOU'VE SAID MORE THAN ENOUGH
August 28, 2023
TW: Racism, language, bullying, favoritism, classism, eating disorder, peer pressure, drinking, smoking, child abandonment, toxic relationships, toxic parent relationships
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:Laure Mesny is a perfectionist with an axe to grind. Despite being constantly overlooked in the elite and cutthroat world of the Parisian ballet, she will do anything to prove that a Black girl can take center stage. To level the playing field, Laure ventures deep into the depths of the Catacombs and strikes a deal with a pulsating river of blood.The primordial power Laure gains promises influence and adoration, everything she’s dreamed of and worked toward. With retribution on her mind, she surpasses her bitter and privileged peers, leaving broken bodies behind her on her climb to stardom.But even as undeniable as she is, Laure is not the only monster around. And her vicious desires make her a perfect target for slaughter. As she descends into madness and the mystifying underworld beneath her, she is faced with the ultimate choice: continue to break herself for scraps of validation or succumb to the darkness that wants her exactly as she is—monstrous heart and all. That is, if the god-killer doesn’t catch her first.
Release Date: August 29th, 2023
Genre: YA Horror
Pages: 339
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3.5)
What I Liked:
1. Laure felt like a complicated character
2. Some graphic gory scenes
3. Ohhhh that cover 😍
4. Kristolyn Lloyd's voice was perfect for the audiobook
What I Didn't Like:
1. The obsession with Josephine was over the top
2. Slow moving book
3. Laure's constant insecurity becomes annoying
4. Characters got on my nerves
Overall Thoughts:
When I was 8 - 10 I took ballet. I hated it and clearly not a ballerina. So today I question why I continue to get books that deal with ballet. My interest in hearing about it is like non-existent. But I've heard how creepy this book is so it peaked my interest a lot. This book is definitely heavy heavy on the ballet where I thought it would be more horror.
Laure's obsession with Josephine got on my nerves. Page upon page about how wonderful she is and how everyone is in awe of her.
Then you get EVERY page of Laure's constant insecurity. That she isn't good enough - why is she even there... Seriously it's way too much. I get never feeling good enough but it just felt like so much - too much.
Book felt more fantasy than horror. Yeah, there were some moments where horror happens but it's not a main focus of this book. I felt a little hoodwinked. Horror dragged me in but lack of horror took me out.
Everyone has a French name but an American accent so I'm confused...
I would have loved to know why she didn't like her dad and why her mom left. How did she find herself at this place?
I was confused how Acheron (the river in Hades) was in this book in France when it's a Greek river.
Final Thoughts:
I struggled to finish this book but I'll be honest it was just okay. I don't know if I'll really even remember that much in a month. The writing style was really good - a feat that can be difficult in Ya.
Ultimately I ended up dnfing this book around page 150. I really tried to get into the concept but the ballet is way too much. Also it read too young. I get Laure's perspective being young but then when you get the older people they even read younger. As a person who's not competitive and never joined a sport (hated my ballet years) - I found it very tedious listening to these people be very competitive toward one another and very petty.
I did enjoy how unique this story is. I know I'm not an own voices but I loved that the author gave us a story of a ballerina who is Black in a world where the dancers are all usually Caucasians. The struggle to be taken seriously and be seen as the great dancer she is and not her skin color.
Recommend For:
• People that love Black Swan
• Own voices for Black people
• The human struggle
• Ballet or French lovers
IG | Blog
[Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:Laure Mesny is a perfectionist with an axe to grind. Despite being constantly overlooked in the elite and cutthroat world of the Parisian ballet, she will do anything to prove that a Black girl can take center stage. To level the playing field, Laure ventures deep into the depths of the Catacombs and strikes a deal with a pulsating river of blood.The primordial power Laure gains promises influence and adoration, everything she’s dreamed of and worked toward. With retribution on her mind, she surpasses her bitter and privileged peers, leaving broken bodies behind her on her climb to stardom.But even as undeniable as she is, Laure is not the only monster around. And her vicious desires make her a perfect target for slaughter. As she descends into madness and the mystifying underworld beneath her, she is faced with the ultimate choice: continue to break herself for scraps of validation or succumb to the darkness that wants her exactly as she is—monstrous heart and all. That is, if the god-killer doesn’t catch her first.
Release Date: August 29th, 2023
Genre: YA Horror
Pages: 339
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3.5)
What I Liked:
1. Laure felt like a complicated character
2. Some graphic gory scenes
3. Ohhhh that cover 😍
4. Kristolyn Lloyd's voice was perfect for the audiobook
What I Didn't Like:
1. The obsession with Josephine was over the top
2. Slow moving book
3. Laure's constant insecurity becomes annoying
4. Characters got on my nerves
Overall Thoughts:
When I was 8 - 10 I took ballet. I hated it and clearly not a ballerina. So today I question why I continue to get books that deal with ballet. My interest in hearing about it is like non-existent. But I've heard how creepy this book is so it peaked my interest a lot. This book is definitely heavy heavy on the ballet where I thought it would be more horror.
Laure's obsession with Josephine got on my nerves. Page upon page about how wonderful she is and how everyone is in awe of her.
Then you get EVERY page of Laure's constant insecurity. That she isn't good enough - why is she even there... Seriously it's way too much. I get never feeling good enough but it just felt like so much - too much.
Book felt more fantasy than horror. Yeah, there were some moments where horror happens but it's not a main focus of this book. I felt a little hoodwinked. Horror dragged me in but lack of horror took me out.
Everyone has a French name but an American accent so I'm confused...
I would have loved to know why she didn't like her dad and why her mom left. How did she find herself at this place?
I was confused how Acheron (the river in Hades) was in this book in France when it's a Greek river.
Final Thoughts:
I struggled to finish this book but I'll be honest it was just okay. I don't know if I'll really even remember that much in a month. The writing style was really good - a feat that can be difficult in Ya.
Ultimately I ended up dnfing this book around page 150. I really tried to get into the concept but the ballet is way too much. Also it read too young. I get Laure's perspective being young but then when you get the older people they even read younger. As a person who's not competitive and never joined a sport (hated my ballet years) - I found it very tedious listening to these people be very competitive toward one another and very petty.
I did enjoy how unique this story is. I know I'm not an own voices but I loved that the author gave us a story of a ballerina who is Black in a world where the dancers are all usually Caucasians. The struggle to be taken seriously and be seen as the great dancer she is and not her skin color.
Recommend For:
• People that love Black Swan
• Own voices for Black people
• The human struggle
• Ballet or French lovers
IG | Blog
[Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
October 18, 2024
Actual Rating:
2.5✰
So I really liked this all the way until about 50% of the book.
What I Liked:
• The cover is beautiful!! I have an obsession with creepy girls!!
• Bisexual main character!!!!!
• The demon/god/monster!
• Killer (literally) ballerinas!
What I Didn't Liked:
• It was verrrryyyy slow
• The story just fell flat
• I just didn’t understand . . .
Some things weren’t clear
I don’t know if I just skimmed over these parts, or if I blacked out while reading. Maybe they weren't even mentioned at all.
So Laure attends a ballet school and she's clearly still underage. Is the ballet school also an academics school? Is there another school that she goes to? Does she just not go to school?
We (we is me) just don't know.
Laure holds a very hard grudge against her father. And is a runaway from home? First off, are there no child protective services to ring this girl in? Why is she just allowed to run away from her parents? Why does her dad not do anything? Who’s taking care of her? Does she live with her "friend"?
We (we is me) just don’t know.
Why did we just forget about Josephine? I thought she was going to be a more important part of the story and then she just . . . wasn’t there.
Also, I felt that the god/demon/monster should have been more bloodthirsty. Like, Laure basically sells her soul but it’s all fine and dandy as long as she completes a task? Last I checked, gods/demons/monsters aren’t sympathetic. Where is the supernatural gang to gank this SOB?
We (we is me) just don’t know.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆
𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
✰ 2.5 ✰ Listen. I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t like it. I got through it, but still just a meh book.
━━━━━━━━━━☽✰☾━━━━━━━━━━
2.5✰
So I really liked this all the way until about 50% of the book.
What I Liked:
• The cover is beautiful!! I have an obsession with creepy girls!!
• Bisexual main character!!!!!
• The demon/god/monster!
• Killer (literally) ballerinas!
What I Didn't Liked:
• It was verrrryyyy slow
• The story just fell flat
• I just didn’t understand . . .
Some things weren’t clear
I don’t know if I just skimmed over these parts, or if I blacked out while reading. Maybe they weren't even mentioned at all.
So Laure attends a ballet school and she's clearly still underage. Is the ballet school also an academics school? Is there another school that she goes to? Does she just not go to school?
We (we is me) just don't know.
Laure holds a very hard grudge against her father. And is a runaway from home? First off, are there no child protective services to ring this girl in? Why is she just allowed to run away from her parents? Why does her dad not do anything? Who’s taking care of her? Does she live with her "friend"?
We (we is me) just don’t know.
Why did we just forget about Josephine? I thought she was going to be a more important part of the story and then she just . . . wasn’t there.
Also, I felt that the god/demon/monster should have been more bloodthirsty. Like, Laure basically sells her soul but it’s all fine and dandy as long as she completes a task? Last I checked, gods/demons/monsters aren’t sympathetic. Where is the supernatural gang to gank this SOB?
We (we is me) just don’t know.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆
𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
✰ 2.5 ✰ Listen. I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t like it. I got through it, but still just a meh book.
━━━━━━━━━━☽✰☾━━━━━━━━━━
January 24, 2024
Black Swan if it was actually sapphic and bisexual instead of the male gaze mess we got
This is an obsessed ballet horror novel that's also a mystery novel about a river of blood that runs deep and hidden through the Paris catacombs
The only drawback is that it's YA, so even thoughI know the entire cast of characters are always thinking "sale putain" at each other, no one is allowed to say it T-T
This is an obsessed ballet horror novel that's also a mystery novel about a river of blood that runs deep and hidden through the Paris catacombs
The only drawback is that it's YA, so even thoughI know the entire cast of characters are always thinking "sale putain" at each other, no one is allowed to say it T-T
October 22, 2023
3.75 rounded up for me. The premise was good, very creepy story-telling and evoked quite a few moments of “ahhh shit” for me. That said, I felt the end was a bit quick and realllly wanted our mc to do more in terms of getting hers. Def a good read for those familiar with the demands of being a ballerina/dancer.
November 2, 2023
Confieso que lo comencé sin expectativas, y que conforme iba pasando las páginas, la ambientación me ganó por completo.
Un pacto demoníaco que me ha tenido enganchada hasta el final. Una trama diferente, a la vez contemporánea y fantástica, donde se comparan dos terrores: los mentales y los reales, hasta que te das cuenta que ambos se funden creando un monstruo. Y me ha encantado🤗
Un pacto demoníaco que me ha tenido enganchada hasta el final. Una trama diferente, a la vez contemporánea y fantástica, donde se comparan dos terrores: los mentales y los reales, hasta que te das cuenta que ambos se funden creando un monstruo. Y me ha encantado🤗
August 14, 2023
I am not a horror girlie, but let me just say this book had immaculate vibes! I was hooked right from the beginning when I was transported into the cutthroat ballet world in Paris! This book is a page turner with ongoing mysteries and a delicious slow burn romance. My only regret is not waiting until closer to halloween to read it 🎃
Read
August 26, 2023Review to Come
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